JMR WITH DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER McCORMACK
The Morrison Government has approved funding for 8 projects across the Ballarat electorate as part of its $1.5 billion Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCI Program) which is supporting local jobs, businesses and boosting the economy during COVID-19.
Senator for Victoria Sarah Henderson said getting shovels in the ground on local construction projects was important for maintaining jobs and economic growth in Ballarat and regional Victoria.
“Every single job we support makes a huge difference in our local community, now and as we build our way out of the pandemic,” Senator Henderson said.
“That is why we have moved quickly to approve funding to flow to 8 job creating and community supporting projects”.
“Not only will this new program support jobs, construction businesses and economic growth across regional Victoria, it will also improve road safety and bolster the resilience of our local road networks, helping Australians get home sooner and safer.
“We will work closely with our local councils in regional Victoria to ensure local projects get underway and supporting jobs and businesses as soon as possible.”
The LRCI program is part of the Federal Government’s boost for road and community projects through local governments across Australia to support jobs and the resilience of local economies.
Ballarat electorate projects to receive funding under the LRCI Program in February 2021 are listed below.
$1,775,796 for the Moorabool Shire Council which includes:
• $316,821 for the Old Melbourne Road Reconstruction, Millbrook;
• $165,000 for the Hopetoun Park Road Reconstruction, Hopetoun Park;
• $160,000 for the Mill Park Road Upgrade, Ballan;
• $93,975 for the Jonathan Drive Footpath Reconstruction, Bacchus Marsh;
• $465,000 for the Mill Park Reserve Upgrade, Ballan;
• $390,000 for the Peppertree Park Reserve Upgrade, Bacchus Marsh;
• $150,000 for the Gordon Public Park Upgrade, Gordon;
• $35,000 for the Maddingley Park Netball Court resurfacing, Maddingley.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the projects funded under the Program will improve the quality of life of Australians and have lasting economic and social benefits for local communities.
“Our funding boost will help communities across Australia accelerate priority projects to get people into jobs and stimulate our economy,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We know how important our support is to communities who have faced the combined effects of drought, bushfires and now COVID-19, which is why we are backing projects to create employment and business opportunities while cutting travel times, as well as making our roads and communities safer.
“Having only announced the program in late May, we are moving decisively to deliver the support councils and communities need to get through this pandemic and get back on their feet.”
In May 2020, the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government also pre-paid $1.3 billion of this year’s Financial Assistance Grant to provide untied funding for all local councils across Australia to spend on local priorities.
More information on the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program is available at investment.infrastructure.gov.au/infrastructure_investment/local-roads-community-infrastructure-program.
9 February 2021